The name “Royce” came from his R shaped Turkish link chain which was said to have resembled a Rolls Royce logo. During high school Royce was one of the shortest players on his basketball team, standing 5′9” at age 18.
Royce signed with Tommy Boy records in 1998 and later was slated to release his debut album Rock City. Though this relationship was premature, Royce ended up leaving the label citing creative differences.
Royce began working with well known Game Recordings who helped get him in front of the right people to negotiate a deal with Columbia Records. Royce’s Rock City debut was yet again plagued with delays, during which the album was heavily bootlegged. Though not in their favor, Columbia chose to release Rock City in limited quantity and quickly went out of print by the time Royce left Columbia.
Around this time Royce dropped the underground banger “Boom” with production by Dj Premier. Soon thereafter he joined up with Koch / Game Recordings and released Rock City (Version 2.0) independently.
Most well known for his association with Slim Shady – the two met at a concert while Slim was promoting his Slim Shady EP. The two formed a Duo called Bad Meets Evil, releasing a number of tracks including “Renegades” [Original Version], “Nuttin’ to Do”, “Scary Movies”, “She’s the One”, and “See You In Hell”, which appeared on Eminem’s album The Slim Shady LP, titled “Bad Meets Evil”.
In 2001 Royce was set to work with Dr Dre’s Chronic 2000 project as a ghostwriter. He contributed tracks including “The Message”, “The Throne Is Mine”, “Stay In Your Place” and the original version of “Xxplosive” titled “The Way I Be Pimpin’”.
Royce’s association with Dr. Dre ceased when his manager, Kino Childrey spoke to a reporter about Eminem and Dre in the studio. Royce refused to dismiss his manager and long time friend, ending his relationship with Dre.
Royce and Em had a mutual friendship with Proof. Though Royce had bad blood with D12 member, Bizarre, stemming from a earlier freestyle battle with Royce’s brother. Misscommunication escalated the beef between the pair, causing it to spiral out of control and include all members of the rap group D12.
In 2002, Royce called Eminem to request to be signed to Shady Records. Eminem declined and soon thereafter signed 50-cent to Shady Records instead.
Royce released several diss tracks including “Shit on U” (over D12’s “Shit on You”), taking shots at Bizzare of D12. Royce continued record dis tracks including “We Ridin’”, “Death Day”, and “Malcolm X”. There’s speculation that Royce and Em often wrote bars dissing each other subliminally.
From 2002-2003 Royce kept a low profile releasing releasing Build & Destroy, and Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions Part 1 across the mixtape circuit.
In 2003, Royce’s beef with D12 finally reached its tipping point. Royce and Proof and their entourages spilled into the streets of Detroit arguing but the issue dissipated once firearms were drawn. The two rappers spent a night in jail, and settled their beef.
In 2004 Royce released his sophomore effort Death Is Certain on Koch records, as well as two mixtapes from his crew M.I.C. (Make it Count). The crew includes members Royce, Kid Vishis,and June.
2005 marked Royce’s third full length album release Independent’s Day on Trouble/M.I.C. Records.
Royce Da 5′9″ was sentenced to jail on September 19, 2006 for parole violation for a prior DUI charge. Royce was sentenced to one year in the clink at Oakland County Jail, Pontiac, Michigan. On January 9, 2007, Royce got out of jail on work-release.
Royce has a strong ghostwriting resume including the track “Tell Me” ft. Christina Aguilera for Diddy’s album Press Play.
In May 2007, Royce Da 5′9″ released a mixtape called The Bar Exam which features DJ Premier and Statik Selektah on the Wheels of Steel.
In 2008, Royce confirmed that he had officially resolved his longstanding differences with Eminem and celebrated with a reunion concert on July 12, 2008 at Saint Andrews Hall. A mixtape of the reunion concert was soon released thereafter.
Royce also had beef with other industry majors including Mistah Fab, Cashi$, and Joe Budden, Kanye West and the Ruff Ryders.
On The Run
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
Feeling all alone on the run, I'm still holding onto my gun
Body on it from the previous evening, I found out I'm wanted
Nigga's snitching is what the media screaming
I turn the channel on the TV, the first 48 on
Man, it ain't a loyal nigga on this TV nowhere
I'm contemplating taking a shower to take all the gunpowder off
But what if they bust in, busting
The nigga at the front desk act like he don't recognize me but shit
There's a reward for me, that nigga there hustling
I can't trust him I got to keep my eye on that window
Thinking about my kin folk, wife and babies
I can't talk to them, life is crazy
Whoever thought it would come to this over rap nonsense
Rap from the comfort of being attacked by my conscience
Looking out my window, from my ninth floor hotel room
I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
I think I'm a write a letter to my children
In case I don't make it
I'm up against time but I won't face it
I'm thinking about my life what it is now
And how one slug can change what it once was
I'm accepting the fact that I did that
I just want my wife back, I just want my kids back
I just want my niggas that don't snitch back
Cause real niggas know real niggas ain't with that
But what's the use of me being real, I'm fucked now
I'm seeing sirens out the window thinking what now
Damn, am I to do?
Cause now that shit hit the fan I suddenly ran out of crew
But fuck it, I'm in the shit, I'ma end the shit
No way for me to benefit though I'm innocent
I hear a knock on the door like let's finish this
This life is about honor, respect
But more importantly this life is about choices
You make 'em and whether they turn out to be good ones
Or bad ones you live with them, you die with 'em
Let's go back to how it all started
In "On The Run," Royce da 5'9" reflects on the consequences of his actions as a rapper and the reality of his life on the run. The song begins with Royce looking out of his ninth floor hotel room and remembering the night he found out he was wanted by the police. He feels alone, still holding onto his gun from the previous night, and the news on TV about snitching only adds to his paranoia. Royce is disgusted with the lack of loyalty in the world and can't trust anyone, including the front desk clerk who might recognize him and earn a reward for turning him in. He's thinking about his family and friends but knows he can't talk to them while on the run.
At this point, Royce decides to write a letter to his children in case he doesn't make it. He accepts the fact that he's done something wrong and wishes to go back to his life before everything changed. He laments the loss of his wife, kids, and loyal friends who don't snitch. Royce acknowledges that he's in a bad situation and there's no way for him to benefit from it, even though he's innocent. He hears a knock on the door, and the song ends, leaving the listeners wondering about his fate.
"On The Run" highlights the harsh reality of the consequences of actions and choices that can change one's life in an instant. Royce's lyrics are raw and honest, allowing listeners to connect with the emotions he's expressing. The song undoubtedly opens up ground for dialogue on important issues surrounding the criminal justice system, mental health among rappers, loyalty, and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out my window, from my ninth floor hotel room
I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
Feeling all alone on the run, I'm still holding onto my gun
Body on it from the previous evening, I found out I'm wanted
Nigga's snitching is what the media screaming
The news is reporting about people betraying each other
I turn the channel on the TV, the first 48 on
I change the channel to watch 'The First 48' show
Man, it ain't a loyal nigga on this TV nowhere
There are no trustworthy people shown on TV
I cut the power off, disgusted
I turn off the TV out of disgust
I'm contemplating taking a shower to take all the gunpowder off
I am considering taking a shower to clean the gunpowder off my body
But what if they bust in, busting
But what if the police break in, raiding
The nigga at the front desk act like he don't recognize me but shit
The guy at the reception pretends he doesn't know me, but I doubt him
There's a reward for me, that nigga there hustling
There's a reward for my capture, and he looks like he's after it
I can't trust him I got to keep my eye on that window
I must be careful with him and watch the windows
Thinking about my kin folk, wife and babies
I am worried about my family, my spouse, and my children
I can't talk to them, life is crazy
I cannot communicate with them because my life is in chaos
Whoever thought it would come to this over rap nonsense
I never expected to be in this situation because of rap-related issues
Rap from the comfort of being attacked by my conscience
I write songs to cope with my conscience attacking me
I think I'm a write a letter to my children
I decide to write a letter to my kids
In case I don't make it
Just in case I don't survive
I'm up against time but I won't face it
I am running out of time, but I am not ready to accept it yet
I'm thinking about my life what it is now
I am reflecting on my life and the current situation
And how one slug can change what it once was
One gunshot can destroy what I have established
I'm accepting the fact that I did that
I am coming to terms with the reality that I committed a crime
I just want my wife back, I just want my kids back
All I desire is to be reunited with my spouse and kids
I just want my niggas that don't snitch back
I want to be with my friends who don't betray me
Cause real niggas know real niggas ain't with that
Genuine people cannot accept backstabbing behavior
But what's the use of me being real, I'm fucked now
However, being authentic is irrelevant now, I am in trouble
I'm seeing sirens out the window thinking what now
I see police cars with the sirens, and I am unsure what to do next
Damn, am I to do?
I am frustrated and do not know what course of action to take
Cause now that shit hit the fan I suddenly ran out of crew
Now that things have gone awry, I am alone
But fuck it, I'm in the shit, I'ma end the shit
Regardless, I am in this mess, and I will deal with it myself
No way for me to benefit though I'm innocent
There's no way for me to profit from this situation even though I am not guilty
I hear a knock on the door like let's finish this
I hear someone knocking on the door, indicating that it's time to face the consequences
This life is about honor, respect
Life is about upholding one's dignity and showing respect to others
But more importantly this life is about choices
But more significantly, life is about making decisions
You make 'em and whether they turn out to be good ones
You make them and regardless of the outcome, you must live with them
Or bad ones you live with them, you die with 'em
Even if they're unfavorable decisions, you must live with them and face the consequences
Let's go back to how it all started
Let's reminisce on how everything began
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind